Farewell Master Helio Gracie

The Legendary father of Gracie Jiu-jitsu, Master Helio Gracie has passed away quietly at the age of 95 in his sleep.

He was the youngest of the original Gracie Brothers and innovator of the now famous Gracie Jiu-jitsu alongside his eldest brother, Carlos Gracie Sr. (father of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) in the state of Barra de Tijuca, Brazil. Gracie Jiu-jitsu became popular and had thousands of followers around the world. It is also an important component in the foundations of the growing sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

Helio's famous sons include eldest son Rorion (Founder of the original UFC), Rickson (Known to be the greatest of all his sons and undefeated in Jiu-jitsu with over 400 fights), Royler, Rolker, Royce (Legendary UFC Champion), Relson and Robin who all shared and contributed in his dreams of spreading the instruction and development of the original Japanese art of Ju-jitsu (the gentle art) and made it into Gracie or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (the gentle way).

He was also involved in two legendary fights. One with Judo Master Masahiko Kimura, a man who was 40 lbs bigger than him. Kimura, finished Gracie with the famous shoulder lock now named after him. He also fought his former student Valdemar Santana for an exhausting 3 hours and successfully won that fight.

All practitioners and students of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, including myself would like to pay our last respects to the man who made a difference in the sport and who had straightened lives by promoting, engaging and making Brazilian Jiu-jitsu an important part of their lives.

Obrigado and Farewell Master Helio Gracie!!!!